Turkmenistan

Geographical location of Turkmenistan

• Turkmenistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea to the west, Iran and Afghanistan to the south, Uzbekistan to the north-east, and Kazakhstan to the north-west. It is the southernmost republic of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the loose federation created at the end of 1991 by most of the post-Soviet states.

The flag of Turkmenistan

• The state flag of Turkmenistan is a straight dark green with a vertical red stripe on the left, at the flagstaff, comprising five basic carpet patterns in the vertical order. The green background has a crescent and five -five pointed white stars in the upper left corner. Each star represents a Turkmen velayat (state).

The tallest flagstaff in the world was erected at a height of 133 metres in Ashgabat. The solemn ceremony of hoisting the national flag of Turkmenistan at the height recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records was held in the south of the Turkmen capital. Vice President of Guinness Book of World Records Mr. Craig Glenday arrived in Ashgabat to take part in the ceremony and certify the record.

The marches and patriotic songs performed by the Orchestra of the Guard of Honour and music groups of the Ashgabat Department of Culture added solemnity to the ceremony.

The official ceremony of hoisting the national flag of Turkmenistan started with the march of the Guard of Honour carrying the giant National Flag 52.5 x 35 meters in size weighing 420 kg in their arms.

The biggest flag and the tallest flagpole in the world

The state emblem of Turkmenistan

• The state emblem and flag are based on national traditions and steer clear of political symbols. The number of stars represent the five regions.

• The green color has been traditionally revered by Turkmens, as has red, while carpet patterns are a symbol of Turkmen traditional political, social, cultural and religious views.

Geographic Features of Turkmenistan• The Karakum canal is one of the sights of Turkmenistan. The huge artificial river was built in 1955-

1962. The general length of Karakum canal is 685 mi• Amu Darya is the largest of the rivers of Turkmenistan and central Asia. Its length is 1580 mi, of

which 622 mi are on the territory of our country. • The river Murgap takes second place for size and economic value. The common length of the river

is 530 mi.• BAKHARLY UNDERGROUND LAKE «KOV-ATA» – is a unique, world renowned natural lake located

100 km from Ashgabat. A warm hydrogen sulfide lake lies in a cave at the Kopet Dag foothills. 276 steps lead into the lake.

• The Caspian sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. It is bounded by Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan.

«Kov-Ata» cave is very popular among tourists.The lake is available all year round because of the constant temperature of water (95-100° F) and air. Chemical analysis has shown that the water contains a complex combination of chemical elements. Medicinal characteristics attract a lot of visitors. The cave is also famous for its biggest settlement of bats.

Kow–Ata cave

The climate is arid continental. Summer max temp: 65°C (150°F)

Average: 37°C (115°F) Winter min temp: -15°C (5°F)

Climate of Turkmenistan

Akhal –Teke horses

Famous Akhal -Tekes:

• Abscent -- Winner of the Prix de Dressage at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. In 1968 Abscent was named the “World's Best Sporting Horse.”• Dancing Brave -- Winner of the 1986 Arc de Triomphe Race. Dancing Brave holds the record for the highest price ever paid for a horse; US$50 million.• Melekush -- In 1956 Nikita Krushchev presented Melekush to Queen Elizabeth II of England. He was described by the Royal Equerry as Britain's “best horse.• Buccephalus -- The famed favorite horse of Alexander the Great.

History of TurkemnistanIn the 4th century B.C., In 330 B.C

In the late 7th and early 8th centuries. In 1157, By 1885 In 1990,

October 27, 1991 In1995

The Persian Empire was defeated by the army of Alexander the Great.

Alexander marched northward into Central Asia and founded the city of Alexandria near the Murgab River. The Scythians—fierce, nomadic warriors from the north—then established the kingdom of Parthia, which covered present-day Turkmenistan and Iran.

Central Asia came under Arab control after a series of invasions. Meanwhile, the Oguz—the ancestors of the Turkmen—were migrating from eastern Asia into central Asia, the Middle East, and Asia Minor (modern Turkey). The Arab conquest brought the Islamic religion to the Oguz and to the other people of central Asia.

During a revolt of powerful landowners, the Seljuk Empire collapsed. The leaders of Khiva took control of Turkmenistan, but their reign was brief. In 1221, central Asia suffered a disastrous invasion by Mongol warriors who were sweeping across the region from their base in eastern Asia.

All of the Turkmen clans had submitted to Russian control. The Russians annexed Mary and pushed across Turkmenistan to the borders of Persia and Afghanistan. The building of the Transcaspian Railroad, which connected Krasnovodsk (modern Turkmenbashi), Mary, and trading centers to the east, opened up the region for economic development.

The Turkmen SSR declared that it would take greater control over local politics and economic policy. The government established the office of president and named Saparmurat Niyazov to the post.

Turkmenistan proclaimed its independence from the USSR.

Turkmenistan become neutral country.

Customs and Traditions

Turkmen carpets

• For Turkmen, carpet making has the same importance as the pyramids do for Egypt. It is one of the oldest arts in Turkmenistan and the region.

• In 2001, Turkmen carpet masters have weaven a giant carpet, with the area of 301 sq. m and weight of 1,200 kg. It is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest handmade carpet in the world.

Some Turkmen language • Salam! – Hi!

• Essalawmäleýkum! – Hello!• Armysyñ? – What’s up?• Nähili? – How are you?

• Gowy. Seniñki nähili? – Good. What about you?• Meniñ adym Dmitriy. – My name is Dmitriy.• Men Amerikadan. – I am from America.

• Men türkmençe bilemok. – I can’t speak Turkmen language.• Hawwo! – Yes!• Ýok! – No!

• Jijim! – Hey buddy!• A gyz! –Hey girl!

• Ay oglan! – Hey boy!• Ýylgyr! – Smile! =)

Government of Turkmenistan

First president of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov

Second president of TurkmenistanGurbanguly Berdimuhammedow

National holidays• Independence Day• Neutrality Day• New Year• Kurban Bayram• Nowruz Bayram• Constitution Day• Flag Day• 9 May• Women’s Day• Melon Day• Carpet Day

Economy of Turkmenistan•Turkmenistan is largely desert country with nomadic cattle raising, intensive agriculture in irrigated oases, and huge gas and oil resources. One-half of its irrigated land is planted in cotton, placing the country in the top 10-15 producers. It also possesses the world's fourth largest reserves of natural gas and substantial oil resources. Until the end of 1993, Turkmenistan had experienced less economic disruption than other former Soviet states because its economy received a boost from higher prices for oil and gas and a sharp increase in hard currency earnings. As in the Soviet era, central planning and state control pervade the system, and the Niyazov government (in power 1991–2006) consistently rejected market reform programs. The state subsidizes a wide variety of commodities and services.

Tourism & Travel in Turkmenistan• In an effort to attract foreign investment and tourism to Turkmenistan, the

government has focused on infrastructure, construction of quality accommodation, including several 4-star hotels, and development of conference and business facilities. Turkmenistan now hosts the largest and most modern airport in Central Asia. Flights arrive daily from Birmingham, England, Germany, India, Iran, Istanbul, Pakistan, Russia, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates.

Turkmenistan today

Web-sites with more information• Central News Paper http://www.turkmenistan.gov.tm/_en/

• Embassy of United States in Turkmenistan http://turkmenistan.usembassy.gov/

• Internet newspaper http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/

• “The feel the Turkmenistan in the United States and beyond ” http://www.ashgabat.us/ • Turkmenistan Country Specific Information for travel http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1047.html

• Peace corps web site about Turkmenistan http://www.chaihana.com/

• The Akhal –Teke Association of America http://www.akhal-teke.org/

• Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) — is a scholarship student exchange program administered by the U.S. Department of State through funding from the Freedom Support Act. The program provides opportunities for high school students (ages 15-17) from former Soviet Union (including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine) to spend a year in the United States, living with a host family and attending an American high school.

• The program was created in 1992 after former Senator Bill Bradley’s conviction "that the best way to ensure long-lasting peace and understanding between the U.S. and Eurasia is to enable young people to learn about democracy firsthand through experiencing it". Since its inception in 1993, more than 18,000 high school students from 12 Eurasian countries (two more countries which used to participate in the program are Belarus and Uzbekistan) have studied in the U.S. under the program.

• PAX - Program of Academic Exchange is a non-profit educational organization that promotes and arranges international student exchange to foster the positive development of the world's young people and to support international peace, friendship and cross-cultural understanding.

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